Shadow World
In 1986, members of environmental group London Greenpeace published a leaflet called What's Wrong with McDonald's? It claimed McDonald's was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer... McDonald's said the claims in the leaflet were untrue, harmed its reputation and demanded an apology. Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused. Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McDonald's Corporation v Steel & Morris - aka 'McLibel' - the longest-running trial in English history, which turned the spotlight on the way big business operates. The case...
Episodes
The People vs McDonald's: 6. Judge For Yourself
The verdict is delivered and Helen discovers the true identity of her former partner, JohnIn 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called âWhatâs wrong with McDonaldâs?â It claimed McDonaldâs was explâŠ
The People vs McDonald's: 5. Clowning Around
When Helen digs out some old letters from John, she finds some potential clues...In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called âWhatâs wrong with McDonaldâs?â It claimed McDonaldâs was exploiting woâŠ
The People vs McDonald's: 4. A Proper Grilling
Helen and Dave get an unexpected communication from the McDonald's board of directors...In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called âWhatâs wrong with McDonaldâs?â It claimed McDonaldâs was exploitâŠ
The People vs McDonald's: 3. Flipping Burgers!
When McDonald's discloses internal company documents to the court, they reveal somebody has been watching...In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called âWhatâs wrong with McDonaldâs?â It claimed MâŠ
The People vs McDonald's: 2. Burger, Nugget, Ketchup, Spy
The London Greenpeace numbers have been dwindling until new faces start turning up at meetings...but something isn't right.In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called âWhatâs wrong with McDonaldâs?âŠ
The People vs McDonald's: 1. The Leaflet
In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called âWhatâs wrong with McDonaldâs?â It claimed McDonaldâs was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could mâŠ
The People vs McDonald's: Trailer
Mark Steel introduces an extraordinary battle between two activists - a gardener and a former postman - and one of the world's biggest fast food companies. A battle over a leaflet which led to the longest trial in English history. It would âŠ
The Grave Robbers: 5. Ripe for the Taking
Where did the gang get the idea to use fake wills to steal the homes of the dead? Sue travels to Budapest to find out. As her investigation concludes, she exposes the scale of a crime that had gone unreported until now, and she hears how thâŠ
The Grave Robbers: 4. The Will to Steal
It should be impossible to steal a home, but this new narrative podcast from multi award winning investigative reporter Sue Mitchell (Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion, Million Dollar Lover) reveals a gang operating in the UK to steal houses frâŠ
The Grave Robbers: 3. The Good Spy
Michael Judd's neighbours watch on in horror as thieves take possession of his home - selling everything of value and destroying his much loved collection of musical instrumentsIt should be impossible to steal a home, but this new narrativeâŠ
The Grave Robbers: 2. Strangers in the Street
Fake wills, stolen identities and cannabis farms - Sue Mitchellâs investigation gathers pace as she exposes how criminals are stripping the estates of the dead , denying rightful heirs their inheritance.
The Grave Robbers: 1. My Dear Friend
Two sisters, set to receive a surprise life-changing inheritance, have it snatched away by a stranger. As Sue Mitchell investigates, she reveals how fake wills are being used to strip the estates of the dead and deny rightful heirs what is âŠ
The Grave Robbers: Trailer
It should be impossible to steal a home, but Sue Mitchell reveals it's all too easy. The multi-award winning investigative journalist (Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion, Million Dollar Lover) is on the trail of an East European crime group usinâŠ
The Smuggler: 10. A Hidden Network
Journalist Annabel Deas speaks to experts who fear Nickâs routes and methods are a back door for other people smugglers
The Smuggler: 9. The Arrest
Nick arrives in Kent with four Vietnamese migrants on his boat. But heâs met by police who arrest him for people smuggling.
The Smuggler: 8. The Boat Theory
After a near escape, Nick vows to never smuggle again. Meanwhile, police build a theory that Nick is smuggling Vietnamese migrants to work on cannabis farms.
The Smuggler: 7. A Dangerous Journey
Nick evades the police in France. But his boat is broken and taking on water. Meanwhile, journalist Annabel Deas hears about the dangerous journeys taken by Vietnamese migrants.Presenter - Annabel Deas Producer - Hayley Mortimer Sound desigâŠ
The Smuggler: 6. The Vietnamese Connection
Nick is paid thousands of pounds to bring Vietnamese migrants into the UK. But at what cost?
The Smuggler: 5. The Crossing
Nick buys a boat and searches for a new smuggling route across the English Channel.
The Smuggler: 4. The Final Border
After serving time in prison for people smuggling, Nick becomes an informant, providing information about the Albanian gang.
The Smuggler: 3. The Mistake
Nick is growing in confidence, smuggling migrants across the channel on ferries. But human error is impossible to avoid.
The Smuggler: 2. Nickâs First Time
Nick is desperate to provide for his new family. He travels to Dunkirk to smuggle an illegal migrant into the UK. Meanwhile, a police operation swings into action.
The Smuggler: 1. The Passport
British builder Nick is struggling after the 2008 financial crash. He receives an offer from an Albanian people smuggling gang thatâs too good to refuse.Presenter - Annabel Deas Producer - Hayley Mortimer Sound design - Neil Churchill EditoâŠ
The Smuggler: Trailer
NEW in Shadow World: The Smuggler tells the story of a former British soldier who became an international people smuggler.In this intimate portrait of a British people smuggler, we hear from the perpetrator directly, to uncover his motivatiâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 8. Nearest and Dearest
When The Willpower Detectives aired on BBC Radio 4, just before Christmas 2024, hundreds of listeners contacted the BBC with their own stories about power of attorney and the way it can be abused. The series revealed how a partner at an EssâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 7. Rescue Me
The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney â how one man controls the finances of scores of vulnerable people. Sue Mitchell holds those responsible to account and ends with the story of one woman, now on the brink of a new life. She is takingâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 6. Falling on Deaf Ears
A man receives compensation after abuse in a Catholic boarding school and wants to know what has happened to some of his money. He asks Sue Mitchell to help him find out more.The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours asâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 5. Rich Pickings
Who do people turn to if they fear that vulnerable neighbours need help, especially when relatives live far away? Sue Mitchell follows cases, hearing from some of those involved.The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighboursâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 4. Undue Influence
Pam and Sylvie ask for help finding their friend and warn of the pressure felt to sign Power of Attorney orders. Sue Mitchell helps them search and investigates what has happened.The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbourâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 3. My Dying Wish
Sue Mitchell tracks what happens when a rock and roll roadie leaves his estate to his closest friends. They become increasingly concerned that things aren't being properly handled.The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbouâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 2. A Trust Betrayed
Maisie was struggling to cope and thought giving someone control of her finances would help: she later regretted signing that Power of Attorney order and tells Sue Mitchell why.The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - Concerned neighbours âŠ
The Willpower Detectives: 1. The Doorstep Stranger
Concerned neighbours ask Sue Mitchell for help in finding out how one man has taken control of the finances of scores of vulnerable people.This is the hidden scandal of Power of Attorney. In Hertfordshire towns, people who live alone are dâŠ
The Willpower Detectives: Trailer
The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - how one man controls the finances of scores of vulnerable people.
Thief at the British Museum: 9. An Ending, a Beginning
Ittai hands over his gems and the Museum launches a recovery process to try and find more of the missing items. But will it ever get back what has been lost? Presenter: Katie Razzall Producers: Darin Graham, Ben Henderson and Larissa KenneâŠ
Thief at the British Museum: 8. Stateside
Katie receives a tip-off that sultan1966 has been selling gems in the US. After speaking to a buyer in New Orleans, she learns about an even bigger collection of gems offered by the same seller that have ended up in the Washington DC area. âŠ
Thief at the British Museum: 7. Treasure Hunt
Ittai Gradel says he sold on some of the gems he thinks came from the British Museum. A mission to hunt them down leads the team through the backstreets of Paris and to a small town in Germany.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producers: Darin GrahâŠ
Thief at the British Museum: 6. Lone Wolf or Scapegoat?
As news of the thefts breaks around the world, the boss of the British Museum turns on Ittai. Now he has to fight to clear his name.And what of the thief? The museum shares details about how they think the thief covered their tracks. Peter âŠ
Thief at the British Museum: 5. Secret Missions
The inside story of how ancient treasures were stolen from one of the worldâs most renowned institutions. And how one man believes he caught a thief. Omnibus edition part one of two.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producers: Darin Graham, Ben HenâŠ
Thief at the British Museum: 4. Seeds of Doubt
Ittai is convinced heâs found his thief, but not everyone is so sure. âI mean, to me, it just sounds like a setup. It sounds like heâs being framedâ, one former museum insider tells us.Peter Higgs is a well respected curator, highly regardeâŠ
Thief at the British Museum: 3. Lightbulb Moment
For Ittai, the clues finally fall into place. Has he identified the thief?Ittai Gradel long suspected someone was selling ancient gems that once belonged to the British Museum. But he had no idea when they were stolen or by whom. Now a starâŠ